Here at GQ we're big fans of naked middle-weight bikes. It turns out we're not alone, and that's backed up by the fact Ducati has sold over 323,000 copies of its infamous Monster - possibly the most iconic naked bike in recent history - to fans of the genre since it first appeared in showrooms a quarter of a century ago.

1993 Ducati Monster M900

Ducati Motor Holding

There's plenty of good reasons why the naked middle-weight recipe works so well. They unashamedly reveal what they're made of: there's little in the way of plastic covering up the guts of the machine which makes way for lots of visible engine and exhaust. There's no fairing to clutter up your view of the road ahead either, creating the feeling of hurtling through the air when riding. Then there's the requisite wide handlebars that put the rider in a comfortable and commanding position, enabling oodles of leverage to throw the bike around as you please on your favourite road. In short, they look great and are easier to ride harder than sports bikes are, plus are much comfier especially over longer distances. They're bikes for people who just love bikes for what bikes are.

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Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

Last week, Ducati revealed its latest Monster 821 and invited GQ to the international launch event on Rimini's rutted, technical, twisty roads. Stefano Tarabusi, a Ducati Product Development Manager, commented at the technical presentation that the new Monster 821 is the most beautiful, most sophisticated Monster yet, and it's hard to argue with him. The new Monster 821, like the recently launched Monster 797, takes the tank, headlight, exhaust design and more aggressive rear-end from its bigger (and even more powerful) sister, the Monster 1200, to bring the entire family much closer together from a visual point of view. The lines as you look over the bike from behind towards the tank are strong and muscular, and the return of the yellow paint job and ski-boot clip is hugely welcome.

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Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

But the biggest news is Ducati has thrown a more sophisticated electronics package at the Monster 821 including a colour TFT screen to replace the old monochrome LCD dashboard. It's dead easy to use, especially while riding, and is operated entirely from your left thumb. It'll allow you to switch between the three engine maps: Urban, Touring and Sport. Urban drops power to down to 73 HP from 109 HP and smooths out the throttle response for sensible, calm handling around town. Touring mode will give you full power, but still smooths out power delivery to make life more comfy over long distances.

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Sport mode sharpens up the throttle response for a much more urgent power delivery when you're having fun on a twisty back-roads. Given it's a full-on electronics package, the traction control and ABS systems are fully configurable should you wish to stray away from the pre-set modes, with eight levels for traction control and three levels on the Bosch ABS system. There's also a £160 (plus VAT) quick-shifter option available which will allow you to change up and down the gear box without need for the clutch, which we can't help but feel should be fitted as standard.

Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

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There's a few other useful changes lurking in the spec sheet, too. The previous 821's foot pegs were a single-unit design but are now separate for more ground clearance and a more premium look, and the rear tyre is now a more commonly found size (180/55). Under the seat you'll find a USB socket for charging your phone or GPS device. A Ducati Multimedia System optional upgrade enables syncing your phone up to the Monster 821 to take and make calls, as well as control your music on the move.

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Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

Firing the Monster 821 into life starts with a pleasing soundtrack from the asymmetrical exhaust. As it complies with the latest Euro4 regulations, it's quieter than the outgoing model, but still plenty loud and bassy enough to create a sense of occasion. As we pulled away from the sea front in Rimini in the Urban engine mode, immediately the clutch and gear box reveal themselves as light and easy to use. The throttle's initially a bit jerky, but once you're moving it's smooth and progressive. Urban mode actually seems far too conservative for all but the coldest or wettest conditions where as Touring is far more appropriate for every day use: full power, but with a friendly throttle response.

Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

Once out of town on faster and twistier roads, Sport mode is far more appropriate with its punchier throttle response. Peak torque (63 lb/ft) arrives at 7,750 RPM and the red line is reached at 10,500 RPM. There's plenty of grunt and shove from 3,000 RPM meaning sporty riding is both enjoyable and easy with ample torque available from low down the rev range. The Monster 821 will fire out of sharp turns and hairpin corners while remaining safe thanks to Ducati's traction control system that's always watching over you. At least a handful of times we felt the system kick in when we were accelerating over white lines or over bad surfaces, and every time it controlled the power smoothly and seamlessly.

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Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

With traction control dialled right down, the front wheel will crest easily under hard acceleration. When it does the 'bars will shimmy briefly, so a steering damper would be a nice addition but unfortunately, there isn't one available in the options catalogue. The incredibly powerful Brembo M4.32 brakes will easily overwhelm the front forks which feel slightly oversprung, resulting in lots of diving and weight transfer when braking hard for tight corners. While the forks let the otherwise capable chassis down, everything else is spot on, and once you've settled the Monster 821 into a corner, it'll go exactly where you point it.

Milagro and Aljesida c/o Ducati

It's fairly obvious that the previous Monster 821 was already a very good bike to begin with, and the new Monster 821 is more about refinement than all-out change. With the electronic upgrades, tweaked design and top-notch build quality, Ducati hasn't rocked the boat - and that's just fine, because it didn't need rocking anyway. If you're after a naked middle-weight bike, you'd be daft not to consider Ducati's Monster 821. Undeniably there are more exciting, higher spec bikes in its peer group, but none of them get to wear the Monster badge or come with such heritage - nor that yellow paint job.